SSI Live Podcast

American security policy rests on a three-legged stool consisting of defense, diplomacy, and development. The Obama administration has attempted to rebalance from defense toward diplomacy and development in solving the most vexing international security challenges. But has the rebalancing effort succeeded? Several factors point to a continued militarization of U.S. foreign policy, which has major implications for the U.S. military. Dr. John R. Deni discusses these and related issues, which are all addressed in his recently published monograph, "The Real Rebalancing: American Diplomacy and the Tragedy of President Obama’s Foreign Policy." Released 9 November 2015.

The threat perceptions of many Arab states aligned with the United States have changed significantly over the last five years as a result of U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq, the Arab Spring, the rise of Iranian power, the Egyptian revolution and counterrevolution, and the development of civil wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya. In response, the American role in the region continues to evolve as Washington wields various forms of forward presence to assure allies, deter aggressors, and shape the security environment. Dr. Andy Terrill joined Dr. John R. Deni to discuss these and related issues, which are all addressed in Dr. Terrill's recently published monograph, "Arab Threat Perceptions and the Future of the U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East." Released 26 October 2015.

The fall of Kunduz to the Taliban earlier this week cast serious doubt on the American effort at nation-building in Afghanistan. What are the strategic implications, and is there hope for turning around the situation? Or is Afghanistan simply a problem the United States cannot fix? Dr. John R. Deni invited his SSI colleague Dr. Chris Mason to examine the broad strategic context of this event and to discuss the latter's recently published book, The Strategic Lessons Unlearned from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan: Why the ANSF Will Not Hold, and the Implications for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan Released 1 October 2015.

The Russian government is building what looks like a forward operating post in Latakia, Syria. Media reports indicate several advanced T-90 tanks, armored personnel carriers, 200 Russian marines, and housing for as many as 1500 personal are already on the ground. In response, officials in Washington have called for Moscow to back off, arguing that Russia’s involvement will only worsen the conflict and complicate efforts to reach a political resolution. However, Dr. John R. Deni argues that if Russia really is the most significant threat to the United States, perhaps it’s ultimately in American interests to see Russia bogged down in Syria, supporting an unpopular client government with little prospect for success. Released 17 September 2015.

This week, the Islamic State (IS) destroyed a 2,000-year old temple in Palmyra, and Turkey announced it had joined the anti-IS coalition. Dr. Andy Terrill joined Dr. John R. Deni to discuss these developments, to place them in the broader context of the massive human tragedy that is the Syrian civil war, and to discuss the outlook for Syria and the region. Released 26 August 2015.

Are American interests threatened by Russian engagement with Latin American countries? How do Russian actions compare with engagement by other major extra-regional actors like China or Iran? What steps can the United States take to ensure its interests are protected? SSI Live host Dr. John R. Deni invited Dr. Evan Ellis to discuss the recently published monograph, "The New Russian Engagement with Latin America: Strategic Position, Commerce, and Dreams of the Past." Released 19 June 2015.

Roughly two weeks ago, ISIS captured the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra, sparking concerns that the violent extremist group would destroy the antiquities there. What is the significance of Palmyra? Although the ruins evidently remain intact so far, are fears of its destruction by ISIS nonetheless warranted? And how does the political-military operation there fit into ISIS's broader plans for the region? Dr. Andy Terrill joined Dr. John R. Deni to discuss these questions and more. Released 5 June 2015.

As Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia announced a 5-day humanitarian ceasefire, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders are preparing to travel to Camp David for a summit with President Obama. What are the prospects for the short ceasefire and some sort of a negotiated peace in Yemen? What can we expect of Thursday’s summit at Camp David? With much of the national security establishment focused this week on the Middle East, Dr. Andy Terrill joined Dr. John R. Deni to discuss these questions and more. Released 27 May 2015.

As Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia announced a 5-day humanitarian ceasefire, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders are preparing to travel to Camp David for a summit with President Obama. What are the prospects for the short ceasefire and some sort of a negotiated peace in Yemen? What can we expect of Thursday’s summit at Camp David? With much of the national security establishment focused this week on the Middle East, Dr. Andy Terrill joined Dr. John R. Deni to discuss these questions and more. Released 12 May 2015.

In the face of continuing Russian aggression in and against Ukraine, and as the migrant crisis spikes in the Mediterranean, the issue of transatlantic burden-sharing remains an important subject confronting the United States and its European allies. NATO measures burden-sharing largely by relying on the 2 percent goal. However, in this latest SSI Live podcast, Dr. John R. Deni argues the 2 percent goal is not a useful tool for measuring shared burdens or shared risk. Instead, he suggests a new measuring stick is necessary, one that more accurately assesses both defense inputs and outputs. Released 24 April 2015.